James Madison University Provost and Senior Vice President Academic Affairs

Job Title

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

James Madison University (JMU), a rapidly evolving, nationally recognized epicenter of learning, seeks an innovative and responsive leader to serve as its next provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. Founded in 1908 in Harrisonburg, Virginia as a women's school to develop teachers, JMU has transformed into a co‑ed, national institution with over 110 academic programs and more than 23,000 students as of Fall 2025.

JMU’s rapid ascent in popularity and national rankings includes classification as an R2 Doctoral University with High Research Activity by the Carnegie Commission. Its student‑faculty ratio is 17:1, and 37.2% of classes have fewer than 20 students.

Serving as the chief academic officer, the provost and senior vice president for academic affairs (SVPAA) reports to the president and is an innovative and responsive partner committed to the university’s mission of student success and academic excellence. The role requires a strategic thinker who can integrate academic rigor with operational efficiency, a skilled communicator who builds trust across the campus community, and an adaptable, forward‑looking partner with industry and benefactor relations.

The provost will support shared governance and transparency in decision‑making, commit to intellectual diversity on campus, and partner with the president, leadership team, faculty, staff, students and other stakeholders to elevate JMU’s national profile.

• Support shared governance and transparency in decision‑making.
• Commit to intellectual diversity on campus.
• Partner with the president, leadership team, faculty, staff, students and other stakeholders to advance JMU’s national profile.
• Integrate academic rigor with operational efficiency.
• Communicate effectively and build trust with faculty and the broader campus community.
• Adapt to emerging challenges in higher education and act as a responsive partner for industry and benefactors.
• Demonstrate strategic thinking and a forward‑looking vision for the university.

James Madison University does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination in its employment, programs, activities, and admissions on the basis of age, color, disability, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information (including family medical history), marital status, military status (including veteran status), national origin (including ethnicity), parental status, political affiliation, pregnancy (including childbirth or related medical conditions), race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or any basis protected by law, unless otherwise permitted or required by law.

JMU complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding non‑discrimination, affirmative action, and anti‑harassment. The responsibility for overall coordination, monitoring and information dissemination about JMU’s program of equal opportunity, non‑discrimination, and affirmative action is assigned to the Office of Equal Opportunity. Inquiries or complaints may be directed to the Office of Equal Opportunity via the OEO website, email oeo, or phone (540) 568‑6991.

JMU prohibits sexual and gender‑based harassment, including sexual assault and other forms of inter‑personal violence. The responsibility for overall coordination, monitoring and information dissemination about JMU’s Title IX program is assigned to the Title IX Coordinator. Inquiries or complaints may be directed to the Title IX Coordinator, Laura Sider Jost, via the Title IX website, email siderlk, or phone (540) 568‑5219.